Before lighting, trim the wick to about 1/4 inch. This helps prevent large, smoky flames and extends the life of the candle.

When you light a candle, let it burn long enough for the wax to melt all the way to the edges of the container (about 2-3 hours). This helps prevent tunneling, where wax only melts in the center.

Drafts can cause uneven burning and may lead to the candle flickering or smoking. Keep candles away from fans, open windows, and air vents.

Use a candle snuffer or gently blow the flame out to avoid hot wax splattering. You can also dip the wick into the wax to extinguish it and prevent smoking.